Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1887-08-03
D0TC2S C1IGlBl.
"A Now and Original Illustrated
serial Story BY
FLORENCE E. DIAMOND
OPENING CHAPTER
IN THE INDEX OF LAST WEEK.

TAO MS Illfet saying was laTeQ anu
sleepy, aud he dislilscd TO wake mo.
Ifclt n strange loneliness and fear whenI
know he was gone, but swallowed my feel
ings as best could and obcdcutly followed
thcladics 10 n handsome carriage that stood
waiting for them and into which q servant
assisted US, and we were soon rolling rap
lily toward home, for as such / now GcsiS-
mated IT, After half an hours drive, VIE
arrived at what i suppose was an entrance
way. A porter swung open a heavy iron
Catc and the carriage swept up IA beautiful
avenue bOrdcred with trees, and finally
stopped before tho house, or mansion
massive pile Of bricks surrounded on oil
rilcs by broad vcrandah's or por;icos. A
eight OF marble steps led up 10 the front
entrance, and the pillars supporting the
piazza were Of the finest and most delicate
specimens Of architecture.
We assembled the steps, and Mrs Clayton
rang the bell A servant admitted us and
led the way 70 a ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS sit
tng-rOom whore tho ladies' removed their
wraps; but Mrs Clayton gave mo in charge
Of "A domestic, who conducted mo 10 a pretty
room on tho ground floor in the rear part OF
tho house.
"Yourc tired. MISS" said tho maid, kind
~. "You can rest here till breoSfast-tme."
She removed my hat and sacque as she
spoke and then, showing me tho bathroom
nnd toilet accessories, she loft re alone.
baihcd my face, combcd anil braided my
hair and brushed my tooth, as | had been
accustomed 10 do at the home, and then,
having nothing disc 20 do, I dew n chair 70
tho window and sat down 10 wait for tho re-
appearance OF tho mail. While sitting here
my attention was drawn 10 two children.
bQys, who wCrO In company with large dog
racing up and down the lawn short DIS
TANGO from the house. One was II dark
flccd Lad Of perhaps twelve years. / knew
Mt once that no was Mrs. Clayton's son, the
resemblance was so great But tho other
child was much younger, not moro than five
years DID, and fair with light curling hair.
alt must be they have no little girls"
said 10 myself; "that Ia the reason they
have adopted me-"
just here tho maid entered, brisisly
"Wcll, little misa, ready FOR breakfast Z"
shn said, chcerily; "but, IL you please, what
Is your nnmctn
"Dorcas Lynn" answered.
"Thank yc miss; mine is Maggie Mitch
ell, nnd Mrs. Clayton sent Inc to fetch yc
down TO breakfast"
So saying she led the way 10 tho break
fast-roon. 10 was q large, lofty room;
and the table, nt which the family were
already seated, was RlittCring with cut
glass and silver. There were ut the
table Mia. Clayton, her husband, a stolid.
corpulcnt man OF fifty, perhaps, Miss Ar
plund, tho two boys had seen in tho gar
don, and little girl OF about my own age,
thought, though | aftcrwnrd discovered
that sho and nor brother were twins
therefore she was two years my senior. But
sho was certainly tho Eost strikingiy- hand.
como child had over seen. To me, in fact,
she looked "a l might have imagined an
angel would. EhC was fair as the lily, with
n soft, roso tint in either check; her hair
was golden as n sunbeam, her eyes blue rs
the sky In juno, and her lips like wet coral
tFho was seated near her mother, and gave
mo a cold stare Of indifference when took
my place beside her. No one spoke; the
vcFy air seemed oppressive. TI7cn alto
gother, 10 was n most uncomfortable meal,
and I felt glnd when u was endcd
Tho children Immediately withdrew whom
breakfast was over. l remained standing
by Miss Armund, hardly knowing what 70
do. Mr.. Clayton arose, and placing his
lands In kis pockets, regarded no in a
questioning manner for fcw moments,
aud then Rslscdi "Whst Is this child hero
for, LenRi"
ellis tono was moro the one of q servant
addressing master than that OF husband
addressing u wife, thought.
Mrs. Clayton flushed angrily at the ques-
ton, but her voice was steady enough whom
she answered him.
"sho Is a protcGo OF my friend, Miss
Armund," sho said.
.Ohl obi yes; n worry ilno one, Miss
Armund," he said, suavely.
thank you" was Miss Armund's chilly
reply
"Yes, yes, mann; not at ALL" and taking
his hat he hastily left tho room
Again n strange stiffness fell upon us.
Mrs. Clayton Had risen and gone TO the win
Glow, where sho stood idly beating
against tho pancs with her white
jcwelod fingers. Miss Armund sat still and
grave, tho hard lines around her mouth
harder and grimmcr than ever She casped
her large, bony hands together and looked
like one who struggled with great passion
az hate or rcmorsc, but her face cleared at
last A look Of deep determination took
the place Of tho frown upon her features.
Sho broke the oppressive silence in her
usually quick, abrupt way.
81 am going now, Lena" she said, ''but ]
want 10 say to you before / go that l have
brought this child hc.o for tho purpose oil
CduCntlng and taking caro- OF her. l wish
YOU 10 treat her as you treat your own chill
drcn. Allow her tho same privileges yoI
allow them, and | am content It Is" sh,
cOntlnucu, thOuBnttuliy, but n small recon
pcnso for tho wrong done her, but II wi!
suffice. Carry out my instructions and yoI
need do no moro; but wish them carrie,
out mind YOU" and hor voice grew stern
i'You understand mo, Lcnam
Mrs. Clayton had turned from tho vindov
NJ Miss Armund's hrst words, and r.
fnaincd quiet and attentive 10 what sho wa
saying. Her face betrayed no exprcssio
but that Of extreme Indifference; but q
Miss Armund's question; "Do you under
stand me, Lonar she raised her head an
answered, coldly:
"Your instructions shall % REGARDED
Hiss Armund."
avery we'll Tell James 10 got tho ca
riagc. / viii DO ready In a moment I ca
not Just say when l will come again."
answer TO Mrs. Clayton's polite Invitation
which could not help thinking was give
under protest
Mas Armund camo toward me then an
hnld Qua her hand. "Good-bye, Dorcas,
was all sho said, anil shyly repeated GOO
BIO. Then her hank form disappeared
tho doorway and she was gone.
CHAPTER ".
Mrs. Clayton turned 10 n servant who wa
IN tho room. and said quietly; "YOu ma
take this child 10 tho school-roon for q
Cav Ann Tell Misc Dalna ahe will III